Ben Nelson To Filibuster Key Obama Labor Nominee

[Joanne98]

In a move that will further irritate his Democratic critics, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) announced on Monday evening that he would not just oppose but also help filibuster President Barack Obama's nominee to a key labor relations agency

In a statement from his office, the Nebraska Democrat announced that he would oppose cloture for Craig Becker's appointment to the National Labor Relations Board, all but assuring that confirmation won't take place.

"Mr. Becker's previous statements strongly indicate that he would take an aggressive personal agenda to the NLRB, and that he would pursue a personal agenda there, rather than that of the Administration," said Senator Nelson. "This is of great concern, considering that the Board's main responsibility is to resolve labor disputes with an even and impartial hand. In addition, the nominee's statements fly in the face of Nebraska's Right to Work laws, which have been credited in part with our excellent business climate that has attracted employers and many good jobs to Nebraska. Considering these matters, I will oppose the upcoming cloture motion and the nomination."

Becker has been an associate general counsel for the Service Employees International Union since 1990 and was previously counsel for the AFL-CIO. His nomination to the NLRB already appeared in peril after the victory of Scott Brown in the Massachusetts Senate election. He had previously been held up in Congress by objections from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) -- who worried he was too allied with unions -- before being re-nominated by Obama in January.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/08/ben-nelson-to-filibuster_n_454437.html

[Tesha]

1. How DARE we have a pro-labor person on the National Labor Relations Board!

And isn't just sweet that a "Democrat" is blocking the
appointment? And some folks here wonder why labor
doesn't seem to love us as much as they used-to...

You know, I'm starting to wonder if there will be a single
traditional Democatic constituency left come November 2nd.

Tesha

[mgcgulfcoast]

2. nelson is in big trouble

i guess he thinks its best to kiss us off.

[radhika]

10. He Doesn't Run until 2012!

..and the Nebraska Democratic Party has already been running pro-Nelson ads in his home state. Obviously to rebut anti-Nelson healthcare ads created by Progressives.

http://www.americablog.com/2010/02/dnc-admits-they-paid-500000-for-ads.html

WTF are they doing this (with donor funds, many have noted) when he is actively undermining the well-being of his state, its workers, the uninsured and catering to special interests only. I guess I answered my own question.

[PVnRT]

3. Since when does Nelson care about the goals of the Administration?

[Tesha]

4. It makes a convenient "fig leaf" for him. (NT)

[high density]

5. I'm pretty sure Obama would not have nominated him if he was concerned about

the BS that you're talking about, Ben. There seems to be no concern when nominees will fulfill the role of corporate whore, but then it's time to whip out the filibuster when a guy who will fight for US labor comes aboard.

[Fire1]

6. Some of these "democrats" are just as bad as the GOP!

Course, that's not new, either.

[iceman66]

7. The problem is that if Obama really went after Nelson,

and somehow forced him to vote with the rest of the party, it would virtually guarantee that he'd just get replaced by a real Republican.

Nebraska is a red, red state!

[Fire1]

9. Yeah. At some point even Pres. Obama has got to start

thinking along those lines, despite what he told them at the televised conference.

[iceman66]

11. What Obama needs to do

is focus on what he can actually get passed with the present Congress.

To paraphrase an idiom from the previous administration - he has to work with the Congress that he has, not the Congress that he wants.

[Fire1]

14. Couldn't have said it better. n/t

[burning rain]

17. Well, given that the present Congress has a Senate with a 41-seat Republican majority....

the simplest solution would be to have Jim DeMint write all the bills, eh?

[neverforget]

8. With Democrats like these, who needs Republicans?

:shrug:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. There it goes again that fucking left and so called "progressives"..... oh wait.

:sarcasm:

[Phx_Dem]

13. Reid needs to call this fool's bluff and force him to actually fillibuster.

[Blue Owl]

15. not this shit again

God damn it Nelson you stupid fuck -- if it ain't the GOP holding things up, then it's one of you fucking sold out fake Democrats.

:mad:

[Hawkowl]

16. Douche bag

This guy is no better than Lieberman. A fucking corrupt, traitorous, tool. An embarrassment not just to the democratic party, but to the human race.

[backscatter712]

18. Recess-appoint him. Problem solved. n/t

[JaneQPublic]

19. Notice you never see Ben on any TV interview shows?

I would like to see some credible newsperson (perhaps David Schuster) ask this guy some tough questions about the stands he's taken.

[FrenchieCat]

20. It's all Obama's fault again......

Because that's easy to think and to say.